HoneyFire Barbeque Co. in Nashville, Tennessee: Meet the Chef
Best BBQ in Nashville? HoneyFire Barbeque Co. Delivers a Modern Southern Twist
We sat down with Executive Chef Mike Ingram of HoneyFire Barbeque Co. in Nashville, Tennessee. A standout in Tennessee’s crowded barbecue scene, HoneyFire BBQ brings a modern, upscale twist to traditional Southern barbecue in Nashville. Located in the Bellevue area with an additional presence downtown, this family-owned smokehouse has quickly become a go-to for both locals and visitors seeking bold flavors with a polished, welcoming atmosphere.
Image Credit: HoneyFire Barbeque Co. in Nashville, Tennessee
What sets HoneyFire apart is its “modern Nashville twist” on classic BBQ traditions—blending styles from Texas, Memphis, Kansas City, and Alabama into one menu. Expect slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and smoked wings, all paired with house-made, honey-based sauces and rubs that deliver a signature sweet-heat profile you won’t find elsewhere.
Tell us about what your morning routine looks like, and how you like to end your day?
Morning prayers are always the first thing I do on my way to HoneyFire each day. When I get to the restaurant, the smell of smoking meats is in the air, and I head to our three large Old Hickory Smokers to check the brisket for doneness and temperature. We smoke it like they do in Texas, so it melts in your mouth. After that, I check our pork butts, adding a hickory log to the fire for that perfect taste, and to also get us over that last little hump in the process.
I then review the product mix, determine how much food to prepare-not only for the restaurant, but for the catering orders we get for weddings, corporate meetings, and school events. I'm passionate about our food at HoneyFire and making sure the quality and consistency is excellent for every order. During the rush, you will find me at the expo station, making sure every plate comes out perfectly.
In the afternoon, I wrap up with our sous chef, review inventories, and determine afternoon smoke loads for the dinner crowd. I like to end the day by giving my thanks to our amazing HoneyFire staff who give their all each day and making HoneyFire not only a great place to eat, but a wonderful place to work.
Do you have a favorite chef that you look up to and what advice would you give to aspiring chefs?
My favorite chef is Eric Ripert, whose Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Bernardin, is in New York. Some advice I would give to aspiring chefs is this: "It's all about the technique, if you master the technique, you can execute any recipe out there.
Image Credit: HoneyFire Barbeque Co. in Nashville, Tennessee
Do you have any awards or achievements you’d like to mention?
HoneyFire Barbeque Co. is an award-winning barbecue restaurant, and I am blessed to be a chef here. For the past three years we’ve been busy. We won first place the last three times at the Bacon & Barrel Food & Whiskey Festival, we earned the #2 placement in the Nashville Scene for the “Best of Nashville” BBQ spot in the city, and we have also been recognized in Thrillist as one of the best barbecue joints in Nashville. We earned the overall top spot in four out of five categories at the Taste of Bellevue, and we have also earned the title of the “Top Whiskey Bar in Nashville.”
What do you typically cook at home?
Mostly gourmet food; I create new dishes with my wife.
What’s a food trend that you’re loving right now and why?
The food trend I'm really into right now is Birria, a traditional Mexican stew from Jalisco, typically made with goat, beef, or lamb, slow cooked in a rich, spicy broth of chilies and spices like cumin, oregano, and garlic. It is “true passion on a plate.”
What drink do you enjoy most?
My favorite is my mint tea, a Southern classic.
Have you ever cooked for a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell?
I have cooked for a few celebrities, but I had to sign NDAs... so probably stories for another time!
Image Credit: HoneyFire Barbeque Co. in Nashville, Tennessee
What’s Your Instagram So Readers Can Follow You?
You can follow us on Instagram at @honeyfirebbq.
What’s the strangest food combination you’ve ever tried? AND did you like it?
Ketchup on scrambled eggs. Yes, I liked it.
Image Credit: HoneyFire Barbeque Co. in Nashville, Tennessee
Why should readers visit HoneyFire Barbeque Co. in Nashville, Tennessee?
At HoneyFire, guests can savor our award-winning, sweet heat barbecue made with true Southern hospitality, and heart and soul. We opened our first location in 2018 in the Bellevue area of Nashville, and we are known for our modern, upscale twist to the best of traditional barbecue.
Fast forward to 2026, we recently opened our third and largest location yet in Brentwood. All of our sauces and rubs are honey-based and homemade. And, like all our smoked meats, we take our time. Each dish is personally crafted with heart and soul in a family atmosphere. HoneyFire Barbeque’s menu includes original, best-selling items like smoked pulled pork, chopped beef brisket sandwiches, smoked chicken wings, tossed in your choice of an array of signature homemade sauces, and baby back egg rolls filled with smoked rib meat and creamy coleslaw, topped with habanero-infused honey. Fan-favorites include a creative spin on salads, and delicious sides like white queso mac and cheese, bourbon baked beans, and sweet corn pudding.
Honestly, the “heartbeat” of the HoneyFire BBQ is our wonderful staff that treats every single customer like family. Stop by for a bite to eat at one of our three Nashville area locations and you will know why.
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